Summary & Overview
CPT 29131: Application of Static Finger Splint
CPT 29131 denotes the application of a static finger splint, an orthopedics procedure used to immobilize fingers after injury or to manage pain and stability. Nationally, this procedure is commonly performed in outpatient office settings and is relevant across outpatient orthopedics, hand surgery, physical therapy, and physician assistant practice. The code matters because appropriate coding supports clinical documentation, billing accuracy, and alignment with payer coverage policies.
Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context for the procedure, common associated diagnoses for which the splint is used, related CPT codes for dynamic splints and short arm splints, and typical sites of care. The publication also outlines common modifiers used to indicate laterality and the typical provider specialties associated with delivering this service.
This summary provides practical benchmarks and policy-relevant information: coding description and context, payer scope, and related procedural codes that influence claim bundling and documentation. The content is intended to inform billing staff, clinicians, and policy analysts seeking clear, actionable descriptions of what CPT 29131 represents and how it fits within outpatient orthopedics practice. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 29131 describes the application of a static finger splint. This procedure involves fitting and applying a non-moving (static) splint to one or more fingers to immobilize and protect the digit during healing or to manage pain and stability.
Service type: Orthopedics
Typical site of service: Office (POS 11)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to an orthopedics office after acute hand trauma with localized finger pain and suspected phalanx injury. The clinician (orthopaedic surgeon, physician assistant, or physical therapist within their scope) performs a focused history and physical exam, documents neurovascular status and range of motion, and obtains or reviews radiographs if indicated. For a closed, non-displaced or minimally displaced phalanx fracture or for finger pain requiring immobilization, a static finger splint is fabricated and applied to immobilize the affected digit. The encounter typically occurs in the office (POS 11) during the initial treatment or follow-up visit; documentation includes indication, laterality, splint type (static), materials used, time spent on splint application, and patient instructions for care and follow-up.
Coding Specifications
Modifier LT (Left side):
- Use when the procedure is performed on the left finger.
Modifier RT (Right side):
- Use when the procedure is performed on the right finger.
Associated provider taxonomies and specialties:
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty Name |
|---|---|
207X00000X | Orthopaedic Surgery Physician |
225100000X | Physical Therapist |
363A00000X | Physician Assistant |
Related Diagnoses
S62.609A - Unspecified fracture of unspecified phalanx of unspecified finger, initial encounter for closed fracture
- Relevant when an unspecified phalanx fracture requires immobilization with a static finger splint during the initial closed-fracture encounter.
S62.607A - Unspecified fracture of unspecified phalanx of right finger(s), initial encounter for closed fracture
- Relevant for right-sided phalanx fractures where a static finger splint is applied for immobilization during the initial closed-fracture encounter; use
RTmodifier for laterality when coding the procedure.
S62.608A - Unspecified fracture of unspecified phalanx of left finger(s), initial encounter for closed fracture
- Relevant for left-sided phalanx fractures where a static finger splint is applied for immobilization during the initial closed-fracture encounter; use
LTmodifier for laterality when coding the procedure.
M79.641 - Pain in right hand
- Relevant when localized right-hand or right-finger pain prompts splinting for symptom control or immobilization; pair with
RTmodifier as appropriate.
M79.642 - Pain in left hand
- Relevant when localized left-hand or left-finger pain prompts splinting for symptom control or immobilization; pair with
LTmodifier as appropriate.
Related CPT Codes
29130 - Application of finger splint; dynamic
- Dynamic splints provide controlled motion; an alternative when movement assistance or controlled motion is required instead of a static immobilization.
29125 - Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); static
- Used when immobilization must extend from the forearm to the hand, for injuries that require wrist and hand stabilization rather than isolated finger immobilization; may be used instead of a finger splint when the injury is more proximal.
29126 - Application of short arm splint (forearm to hand); dynamic
- A dynamic forearm-to-hand splint allows controlled motion; an alternative when wrist/hand immobilization with motion control is indicated instead of a finger-only static splint.
99213 - Established patient office or other outpatient visit, typically 15 minutes
- Office visit codes like
99213are commonly reported for the evaluation and management portion of the encounter when a significant, separately identifiable evaluation is performed on the same day as splint application; such visit codes may be used together with the splint application when documentation supports both services.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare mean allowed rate for CPT 29131 ($61.47) is slightly lower than the BUCA (average commercial) mean ($63.84), indicating commercial averages are modestly above the Medicare level for this code. The absolute difference between Medicare and BUCA mean rates is $2.37.
Rate dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies across payers. UnitedHealth Group shows the widest dispersion at $46.22 (P75 $97.00 minus P25 $50.78). Cigna is also wide at $44.00. Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA have moderate dispersion at $29.00 and $32.75 respectively. Aetna is the tightest among commercial payers at $15.59, and Medicare is the tightest overall at $6.00.
The table and chart below present the full payer breakdown of mean rates and percentile values for national benchmarks.
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